Main
Rob Cavanaugh
I’m a certified speech-language pathologist and Ph.D student in the Department of Communication Science and Disorders at the University of Pittsburgh. I am also hold a TL1 predoctoral fellowship in the Institute of Clinical Research Education. I have worked clinical in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation settings, primarily with patients with neurogenic communication disorders stemming from stroke, traumatic brain injury, and degenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis and dementia. My research currently focuses on the translation and clinical implementation of treatments for aphasia. I’m also interested in advanced statistical methods to CSD research, health services research, and clinical instruction.
Education
PhD Student, Communication Science and Disorders
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
Current - 2018
M.S. Speech and Hearing Sciences
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
2015 - 2013
- Thesis: Working Memory Capacity and Subjective Communication
Difficulties in High Level Aphasia
B.A. Communication Science and Disorders
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
2013 - 2009
- Magna cum laude
Appointments & Positions
Predoctoral Fellow
Institute for Clinical Research Education
University of Pittsburgh
Current - 2019
- TL1TR001858 (PI: Kraemer)
Graduate Student Researcher
Language Rehab and Cognition Lab
University of Pittsburgh
Current - 2018
- PI: William S. Evans
Research Associate, WOC
Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology
VA Pittsburgh
Current - 2018
Graduate Research Assistant
Center for Aphasia and Related Disorders
UNC - Chapel Hill
2015 - 2013
- PI: Katarina Haley
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Eye and Ear Institute
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
2013 - 2010
- PI: Patrick Sparto
Clinical Training
Speech-Langauge Pathologist II
Carolinas Rehabilitation, Atrium Health
Charlotte, NC
2018 - 2016
- Formerly, Carolinas Healthcare System
Speech-Langauge Pathologist II
Carolinas Neurosciences Institute, Atrium Health
Charlotte, NC
2018 - 2016
Speech-Langauge Pathologist - Clinical Fellow
Carolinas Rehabilitation, Atrium Health
Charlotte, NC
2016 - 2015
Publications
Evans, WS, Cavanaugh, RB, Quique, Y, Boss, E, Starns, JJ, Hula, WD. (in press). Playing with BEARS: Balancing Effort, Accuracy, and Response Speed in a Semantic Feature Verification Anomia Treatment Game. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research.
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in press
Evans, W. S., Cavanaugh, R. B., Gravier, M. L., Autenreith, A. S., Doyle, P. J., Hula, W. D., Dickey Michael, W., & Dickey, M. W. (2020). Effects of Semantic Feature Type, Diversity, and Quantity on Semantic Feature Analysis Treatment Outcomes in Aphasia. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. https://doi.org/10.1044/2020_AJSLP-19-00112
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2021
Cavanaugh, R.B., Haley, K.L. Subjective communication difficulties in very mild aphasia. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 29(1S), 437–448. https://doi.org/10.1044/2019_AJSLP-CAC48-18-0222
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2020
Cavanaugh, R.B., Kravetz, C., Jarold, L., Quique, Y., Turner, R., Evans, W.S. (manuscript under review). Is there a research-practice dosage gap in aphasia rehabilitation?
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under review
Refereed Presentations
Cavanaugh, R.B., Kravetz, C., Jarold, L., Quique, Y., Turner, R., Evans, W.S. (2020). Is there a research-practice dosage gap in aphasia rehabilitation? Abstract for poster presentation, Aphasia Access Leadership Summit, online.
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2021
Cavanaugh, R.B., Kravetz, C., Jarold, L., Quique, Y., Turner, R., Evans, W.S. (2020). Is there a research-practice dosage gap in aphasia rehabilitation? Abstract for poster presentation, 16th Annual Rehabilitation Institute Research Day. Pittsburgh, PA
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2020
Cavanaugh, R.B., Terhorst, L., Swiderski, A.W., Hula, W.D., Evans, W.S. (2020). A Systematic Appraisal of Individual Effect Sizes in Aphasia Single-Case Designs via Simulation. Abstract for poster presentation, 58th Academy of Aphasia, Philadelpha PA.
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2020
Cavanaugh, R.B., Quique, Y, Boss, E, Hula, W.D., and Evans, W.S. (2020). Practicing with BEARS: Active Ingredients in Semantic Feature Analysis. Abstract for poster presentation, 49th annual Clinical Aphasiology Conference, Whitefish, MT (Conference canceled).
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2020
Evans, W.S., Cavanaugh, R.B., Quique, Y., Boss,E., Dickey, M.W., Doyle , P, Starns,J.J.,and Hula, W.D., (2020). BEARS-Balancing Effort, Accuracy, and Response Speed in semantic feature verification anomia treatment. Abstract for platform presentation, 49th annual Clinical Aphasiology Conference, Whitefish, MT (Conference canceled).
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2020
Quique,Y., Cavanaugh, R.B., Starns, J.J., Boss, E., Hula, W.D., and Evans, W.S. (2020). Estimating the speed-accuracy tradeoff “Sweet Spot” in language performance for people with aphasia: replication and extension of a diffusion-model based approach. Abstract for poster presentation, 49th annual Clinical Aphasiology Conference, Whitefish, MT (Conference canceled).
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2020
Cavanaugh, R.B., Kravetz, C., Evans, W.S. Utilization and Disparities in Outpatient Aphasia Rehabilitation in Western Pennsylvania. Abstract for poster presentation, Pennsylvania Speech-Language Hearing Association Annual Conference, Pittsburgh, PA (Conference Canceled).
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2020
Cavanaugh, R.B., Evans, W.S., Gravier, M., Autenreith, A., Ashmore, E., Doyle, P., Hula, W., Dickey, M.W., (2019). Do the kinds of features that patients generate during Semantic Feature Analysis affect treatment outcomes? Poster presented at the 2019 Clinical Aphasiology Conference in Whitefish, MT.
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2019
Cavanaugh, R.B., Haley, K.L. (2018) Subjective communication difficulties in very mild aphasia. Abstract for poster presentation, 48th annual Clinical Aphasiology Conference, Austin, TX.
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2018
Cavanaugh, R.B., & Haley, K. (2014, April) Accounting for Aphasia-Related Language Deficits in Verbal Working Memory Assessments: A Literature Review. Poster presented at the 2014 SPHS Student Research Day in Chapel Hill, NC.
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2014
Teaching
CSD M.S. Summative Assessment Project
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2020
- Peer-review of M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology students comprehensive exams
CSD 2230: Neurogenic Language and Cognitive Communication Disorders
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2020
- Guest Lecture 1: TBI: Pathophysiology and Medical Considerations
- Guest Lecture 2: Case studies in adult neurological communication disorders
SPHS 742: Aphasia (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
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2020
- Invited Lecture: Applying treatment research in clinical practice settings
CSD 2230: Neurogenic Language and Cognitive Communication Disorders
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2019
- Guest Lecture 1: TBI: Pathophysiology and Medical Considerations
- Guest Lecture 2: Case studies in adult neurological communication disorders
Honors and Awards
ANCDS Conference Student Fellowship
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2020
NIH-NIDCD Academy of Aphasia conference grant (R13 DC017375-01)
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2020
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Research Development Fund
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2019
NIH-NIDCD Fellowship: Research Symposium in Clinical Aphasiology
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2019
Adult Communication Disorders Annual Scholarship, UNC-Chapel Hill
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2014
Robert W. Peters Award for excellence in research, UNC-Chapel Hill
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2014
Certification, Licensure, Memberships, and Service
Reviewer, ASHA Annual Convention: Adult Language Section
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2020 -
Member, Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences
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2020 -
CCC-SLP: American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA)
N/A
2016 -
SLP: Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology, North Carolina
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2015 -
Member, ASHA SIG 2: Neurogenic Communication Disorders
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2015 -